Seven days: 27 April

For the first time in six decades, neither of France's main left-wing or right-wing have a horse left in the race, as the country voted two candidates through to the second round of the Presidential run-off. Emmanuel Macron of En Marche! and Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right Front National party, received 24 per cent and 21.3 per cent of first-round votes, respectively. France's Cac 40 share index closed 4 per cent up on the day the result was announced, taking it to its highest level since 2008. Investors were likely relieved a shock result was averted. With Le Pen in second place, the exit of France from the European Union is also less likely.